One of the great things about spring in North Carolina is the great riding weather. As soon as things start to warm up, drivers roll back their rag tops and bikers take to the streets to enjoy some sunshine and fun in the outdoors. Every spring for the past seven years, hundreds of people have turned out to enjoy a ride to Myrtle Beach and more importantly, to support local nonprofi ts by participating in the Hogs & Rags Rally, which is scheduled for Saturday, April 27.

While participants enjoy the fellowship of the event, the fact that the rally raises funds for several good causes is a bonus. If ever there was a justification for spending a day out in the sunshine, it is knowing that it is to support Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, the American Cancer Society and Kidsville News!

Don’t let the name confuse you, Hogs and Rags is for all makes and models of motorcycles, trikes, muscle cars and street rods.

“One thing we want to be clear about is even though the name of the event is Hogs and Rags and hogs usually represent Harley-Davidsons and rags usually mean convertible cars — and that is how the event started — we want all kinds of motorcycles and all kinds of cars to participate,” said event spokesperson Wendy Rogers. “We don’t want the name to mislead people. This is a great event, which supports wonderful causes and we want everyone to know they are welcome.”

The ride is not only fun, the organizers have gone out of their way to make sure it is a safe ride, too. The ride is escorted by the sheriff’s offi ce in each county that the caravan passes through. “We do a safety briefi ng before we leave to give everyone an idea of where we are going and how to ride safely in big groups,” said Rogers. “They will let us know what to do and what not to do.”

The day of the ride, registration starts at 7:30 a.m. and runs through 9 a.m. at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum. Kickstands up at 9 a.m. as the caravan departs for Rocking A Ranch in White Oak, N.C. Once they get to the ranch, riders will be treated to a full country breakfast. At 10:45 a.m., it’s back on the road to Chadbourn for a short break and water stop. At 12:15 the ride continues on to Landry’s Seafood at Myrtle Beach. Lunch will be served at Landry’s at 1:15 p.m., where there will be entertainment and a reverse raffle.

The event officially ends after lunch, but there is still plenty of time left to enjoy Broadway at the Beach and the many other fun activities that Myrtle Beach has to offer.

It costs $50 per entry and $30 per each additional rider. The registration fee covers a T-shirt, hot breakfast at the Rocking’ A Ranch, a police escort to Myrtle Beach and lunch at Landry’s.

While the ride itself is a great reason to come out, the charities that are funded by the Hogs & Rags proceeds benefi t greatly from this event. Since its inception, the organization has donated more than $90,000 to these charities: Kidsville News!, The American Cancer Society and the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.

The Kidsville News! Literacy and Education Foundation’s mission is to improve literacy, education and character development among America’s youth by providing support for various early literacy and learning-based initiatives nationwide. The foundation approves grants to qualifi ed projects and institutions that endeavor to instill strong reading and education skills and solid character-development traits in America’s Youth. Money raised at the rally benefit children in Cumberland County. Find out more about Kidsville News! at www.kidsvillenews.com.

According to its website, the American Cancer Society mission statement names the American Cancer Society as a nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service. Since 1946, the organization has spent more than $3.8 billion on cancer research. Find out more about the American Cancer Society and how to make a difference in the fight against cancer at www.cancer.org.

Shriner’s Hospitals for Children has proclaimed its mission to:

• Provide the highest quality care to children with neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries and other special healthcare needs within a compassionate, family-centered and collaborative care environment.

• Provide for the education of physicians and other healthcare professionals.

• Conduct research to discover new knowledge that improves the quality of care and quality of life of children and families.

This mission is carried out without regard to race, color, creed, sex or sect, disability, national origin or ability of a patient or family to pay.

Find out more about the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children at www.Shriner’shospitalsforchildren.org.Find out more about Hogs and Rags at www.hogsandrags.com.

Photo: Hogs & Rags is open to all makes and models of cars and bikes.